Several people were injured in a San Diego car accident after a suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way on the Interstate 15 in Rainbow, California, struck a Lincoln Navigator and a Chevy Cobalt. According to a news report in the North County Times, 22-year-old Vera Lucila Gonzalez was going south in a 2005 Nissan Altima on the northbound lanes of the 15 Freeway near Rainbow Valley Boulevard, early morning on December 31, 2009. Four out of five people in the Navigator were transported to a hospital with injuries. The driver of the Chevy Cobalt was not injured. Gonzalez is facing drunk driving charges and driving the wrong way on an interstate.

I hope the victims of this accident did not sustain major injuries. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

DUI Car Accidents

There were 39 fatalities and 423 injuries involving alcohol-related car accidents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County, according to California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics. In San Diego County as a whole, 116 people died and 2,068 were injured as a result of DUI car accidents during the same year.

California Vehicle Code

Driving under the influence is a serious crime in California. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle." The same section also states that it is illegal in California to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.

Liability and Compensation

If the details of this news report are accurate, it seems to me that the driver of the Nissan Altima, Vera Lucila Gonzalez, was under the influence and drove on the wrong way causing a serious accident. It is indeed fortunate no one was killed in this accident or Gonzalez would be looking at vehicular manslaughter charges as well.

In such cases, injured victims would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the case and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, therapy and other related costs.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

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